Injury and death from acid burns among workers are not uncommon in the USA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that sulfuric acid exposure could affect over 775,000 American workers. Therefore, employees working at facilities that produce soap, fertilizers, or chemical manufacturing firms must receive proper training and safety information in an understandable format. That’s why, properly creating and circulating material safety data Sheet(MSDS) of sulphuric acid is necessary. 

Sulphuric acid is one of those toxic chemicals that have to be handled with absolute carefulness. That’s why, giving access to a proper material safety data Sheet(MSDS) of sulphuric acid will be an appropriate help always. It informs users of all the ingredients of the chemicals along with their hazards. In addition, it offers some important safety guidelines and procedures as well as advice on how to handle the chemical properly. But who specifically needs it more? Let’s explore the industries that make use of it.

 

Sulphuric Acid and its Use:

Sulfuric acid, sometimes referred to as the “king of chemicals,” is a raw material or processing aid. This chemical may be used in various ways, which makes it one of the most widely used chemicals worldwide. It is primarily an oily, highly acidic liquid that serves as an oxidizing and dehydrating agent. Fertilizers require the greatest quantity of sulfuric acid. Also for the production of copper and zinc during the metalworking process, it is used. This is not the end; keep exploring for more relevant information to see how different industries use it.

 

Use of Sulphuric Acid in Different Industries:

 

The manufacturing process of various industries or facilities requires this chemical. Below we’ve highlighted a few, so check them out. 

 

1) Chemical Manufacturing: 

The primary function of this industry is the production of several kinds of chemicals. The sulphuric acid must be present to produce compounds such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc. 

 

2) Oil Refining Industry:

 The production of crude oil is impossible without the presence of an acid that acts as a catalyst. Therefore, the importance of Sulphuric acid is undeniable in the oil refining industry.

 

3) Metal Processing Industry:

 It also helps remove impurities or rust from metals and plays a vital role in this process which is popularly known as ‘Pickling’. 

 

4) Manufacturing Lead-Acidic Type Batteries: 

It is also known as battery acid due to its vital role in manufacturing lead-acidic batteries. In a diluted state, this substance serves as an electrolyte in batteries, facilitating the flow of electrons between the plates. 

 

5) Manufacturing Medicines: 

Sulfuric acid is required for the synthesis of several medicines. For this reason, facilities that manufacture medicines may also need to keep this kind of dangerous substance in their labs.

 

6) Food Manufacturing: 

It is used in the refinement of sugar as well as the manufacturing of food additives and preservatives.

 

7) Fertilizer Industry: 

This industry needs sulphuric acid to produce inorganic phosphate fertilizers like ammonium sulfate and superphosphate of lime. Both these fertilizers are popularly used in the agricultural industry. 

 

Top Sulphuric Acid Producing Companies in the USA

Below are some of the important manufacturers of Sulphuric acid companies in the USA that we have highlighted. Take a look to learn more about them and to see who creates the material safety data Sheet(MSDS) of sulphuric acid. 

  • Barentz: 

This US-based company is one of the largest producers of Sulphuric acid in the USA. The company offers its services to multiple industries such as human & animal nutrition, personal Care, CASE & plastics, etc. This company is associated with customers who produce products from cosmetics to automotive coatings, and also plastic bottles to craft brews.

 

  • CJ Chemicals: 

This company is the producer and famous distributor of this acid. Moreover, in the world of chemical distribution, this company is a well-known name. They provide more than 250 various types of industrial chemicals. This company is associated with various types of industries like lubricants, electronics, agriculture, etc.

 

  • E&C Chemicals Inc.: 

This is another major manufacturer of this chemical that’s based in the USA. Moreover, this company blends and distributes dry and wet products. They deal with products that are packaged in bags, drums, totes, and tank trucks. 

 

  • Twin Specialties: 

 Not just sulphuric acid, but this company distributes many other types of chemicals. They help companies meet their every manufacturing and industrial needs through their services. Moreover, they offer rust preventives, lubricants, and industrial-strength cleaners to help various industries.

 

Material Safety Data Sheet of Sulphuric Acid: In Brief

Every facility is required to maintain and distribute the sulfuric acid material safety data sheet software to its employees to ensure their safety. According to OSHA’s Hazcom Standard, this document is divided into 16 sections, each of which contains relevant details. 

This document is beneficial to help users understand how to identify the product through some key details. By going through it, users can find details on chemicals and their ingredients. Moreover, they can also find some tips on hazard identification.

 It shares some first-aid measures along with firefighting measures. Above all, it trains workers about all the hazards related to sulphuric acid and its usage by providing almost all of the vital information. 

 

What Information does a Material Safety Data Sheet of Sulphuric Acid Include? 

To create an MSDS, facilities must know and understand the right format of it. So, take a look at the format elaborated below. This will help you understand the structure and the content of an MSDS of Sulphuric acid. Continue reading to know what a complete and accurate MSDS looks like. 

 

  • Details of the Chemicals and Manufacturer Details: 

 At the beginning of this document, the manufacturer must provide certain information to help users know and identify the product. Therefore crucial information like the chemical’s name, its formula, synonym, CAS number, etc. should be present. It must also provide the manufacturer’s name, location, and phone number. 

 

  • Detail on Ingredients: 

Users need to learn about all the components of these harmful compounds after reading the second section of the document. By reading through it, users may understand this section’s essential components and use-related threshold limit values. This ensures that users know the acceptable thresholds for this chemical’s exposure. 

 

  • Hazard Statement of Sulphuric Acid: 

All the hazardous information about this chemical should be properly shared in the third part. For instance, this document helps users know how the substance may enter the human body and what are its acute health effects.  For instance, the inhalation of it may produce severe irritation of the respiratory

 tract.  Moreover, understanding the hazard in case of skin contact may also be severe as it may produce burns. 

 

  • First-Aid Measures: 

This particular section provides some first-aid safety measures that should help users handle injuries due to exposure to Sulphuric acid. For instance, in case of eye contact, one must flush the eyes with plenty of water for 15 minutes. To handle serious skin contact, washing helps along with the help of an anti-bacterial cream. 

 

  • Advanced Safety Tips: 

Along with first-aid measures, the document must also provide some advanced safety tips along with personal protection methods. Generally, from sections 4 to 6 users should be able to find various types of safety tips. It must provide adequate information on firefighting measures. Besides, it must include safety information on how to tackle various emergencies. 

 

  • Storage and Safe Handling Tips: 

Users or workers should be well-informed about how to store this toxic substance so that they don’t have to face hazards. For this purpose, section 7 is crucial which provides small yet important facts. For instance, while carrying Sulphuric acid one must keep the container locked up and must keep it dry.

 

  • Sulphuric Acid Chemical Properties:

Section 9 of the document must explain all the chemical properties of Sulphuric acid thoroughly. Along with its physical state, this section provides information on its appearance and reveals its odor type. Users can also find some other information such as its specific gravity, water solubility, and also its boiling point. Moreover, users should also be able to find some small details about Sulphuric acid. For example, users must know about its odor. Some other information that users should find here is freezing points and vapor density. Thus, it helps workers, students, and laboratory assistants to know the chemical well. 

 

  • Toxicological Information:

           

 In section 11 of the MSDS, users must find some important toxicological information. In easy terms, it must explain some of the possible effects of toxic inhalation of sulphuric acids. Besides, it keeps users informed about its route of entry along with its chronic effect on health. For instance, it is generally absorbed through the skin.  

  • Transport Guidelines: 

After all, it’s a poisonous substance and must be handled with proper care. That’s why, section 14 of this document is crucial which comes with a it provides thorough transport guidelines. Thus users understand how to prepare the substance for easy and safe transport while staying compliant with all the regulatory rules.  To generate shipping labels, for example, users need to become familiar with the DOT classification and other data.

 

Conclusion:

The importance of a material safety data sheet of sulphuric acid is undeniable to protect workers from fatal workplace injuries. However, creating a correct and complete MSDS is necessary. Therefore, keep in mind the format that we have shared here which will help you provide safety information in the best possible way.